Thank you for taking your time to respond.

The gentleman is a retired policeman. This is a private municipal pension. He did contribute via payroll deduction over the years...which reduced his taxable W2 gross.  I have reported his Box 1, Gross distribution as taxable ...not withstanding the Unknown taxable figure (0.00) for several years. For some odd reason THIS year I questioned if I was doing the right thing. I filled in the lower sections of the 1099 R worksheet with his age, number of payments, etc.....the response was that the amount in Box 1 (Gross Distribution ) and the taxable amount are the same. 

I am somewhat frustrated by the reporting entity not giving me the information needed ...or the nearly 100% potential that the Box 1 amount is also taxable.

As an aside....I know some of the other retirees in that group....I imagine some will input the box 2a $0.00 taxable amount and, if ever discovered by the IRS, will attempt to recover the consequences from the municipality.

Again, much appreciation for your time and support.

JD